PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

If a person refuses to answer questions because they might incriminate themselves, but the judge or other official in charge gives an order under this law, the person must answer. This rule applies in U.S. courts and grand juries, in federal agencies, and in either House of Congress or its committees. Anything the person is forced to say, and anything that comes from that information, cannot be used against them in a criminal case. The only exceptions are if the person is later charged with perjury, giving a false statement, or failing to obey the order.

Title 18, §6002

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whenever a witness refuses, on the basis of his privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or provide other information in a proceeding before or ancillary to—

(1)a court or grand jury of the United States,

(2)an agency of the United States, or

(3)either House of Congress, a joint committee of the two Houses, or a committee or a subcommittee of either House,

and the person presiding over the proceeding communicates to the witness an order issued under this title, the witness may not refuse to comply with the order on the basis of his privilege against self-incrimination; but no testimony or other information compelled under the order (or any information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony or other information) may be used against the witness in any criminal case, except a prosecution for perjury, giving a false statement, or otherwise failing to comply with the order.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “under this title” for “under this part” in concluding provisions.

§6002 Immunity Generally

Summary

Title 18, §6002

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata